STARS OF THE FUTURE ... Kirwan High rugby league players, from left, Veti Mattaa, Malcolm Congoo, Durante Quakawoot who competed in the John Livingston Shield

Story & Photo By : ADAM WATKIN

In the inaugural series of the John Livingston Shield, Kirwan looks set to fire into the schoolboy history books.

The concept sees Mackay State High playing Kirwan in a best-of-three-games series.

Mackay drew first blood in game one in an almighty 24-20 contest. However Kirwan replied with passion to record a 20-14 victory at home in the second.

Despite only two points separating the schoolboy powerhouses this year, Kirwan coach Dave Ackers said he was quietly confident his team could lift the shield in game three in Mackay.

"We know if we can go out there and control the ball and play well we should win," he said.

"But there is not much between the two sides and Mackay is basically a rep (representative) standard team.

"We would like to think we are on a rep level as well and for 14-year-old boys both sides have played at a level that is a lot higher than under-14s rugby league."

After two games of the John Livingston Shield Kirwan centre Malcolm Congoo has been the standout player.

"He (Congoo) has a very good attitude and was one of our best in the first game," Ackers said.

"I think he is a very good player and he was pretty solid in the second game and scored the winning try."

The Shield was introduced in recognition of Kirwan State High principal John Livingston's support for schoolboy rugby league.

"I think the name of the series is a great idea because it is in recognition of John Livingston and his contribution to schoolboy rugby league," Ackers said.

The Kirwan under-13 team clash with Mackay State High in a similar series called the Bill Esau Shield.

Kirwan has taken out the inaugural title following a 36-0 thumping in game one and a 20-4 victory in the second.

After the two clashes Kirwan fullback Gary Bradtke looks destined for future representative teams.

TJ Faagutu and Chris Faust

STUDENTS CHASE MAROON JERSEYS
Story By : ADAM WATKIN
KIRWAN High students TJ Faagutu and Chris Faust are out to prove they are far from amateurs in their chosen sport of rugby league.

After many years of early morning training sessions, the pair will throw it all on the line for potential selection in the Queensland Schoolboys rugby league squad.

Both players will represent North Queensland in the second row at the Queensland Schoolboys Rugby League Championships in Dalby from May 17-20.

Most players competing at the championships will be out to impress for potential playing contracts, with all National Rugby League club set to be represented by their respective scouts.

Faust, who is already contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys, will want to make the State team just like his older brother (Young Guns forward) Sam did in 2002.

"I think he (Chris Faust) has got a good all-round game," Kirwan High head of sport George Bartlett said. "He's big and he's rangy and has a lot of attributes in his game."

Faagutu will be also trying to follow in his brother's footsteps, Leo Faagutu, who is contracted to the Wests Tigers.

"TJ is a very powerful back-rower who can hit hard and he's got a lot of power in his game," Bartlett said. "For TJ it is time for his quest for a contract now.

"He's not with anyone and I'm sure he'll want to follow in his brother's footsteps."

Bartlett said both players deserved to be selected in the Queensland team following the hard work and commitment they have shown over the past two years.

"It's up to them now because this is what they have been getting out of bed early for and this is what they have been putting all their effort into," Bartlett said.

"They are very professional about their sport. They train in here at the gym three to four times a week in the morning."

The pair aren't the only students from Kirwan High that will be vying for spots in the Queensland Schoolboys side.